I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 444 Only magic can defeat magic; when facing a sarcastic person, one must be even more sarcastic.

Tatsuma dislikes Hinata; in fact, in his eyes, no one with sound judgment could like Hinata. Of course, this refers to the group, not the individual.

Tatsuma didn't dislike the goofy guy on his team; in fact, he thought he would be a good friend.

But sitting in front of him was Hyuga Yu, the head of the Hyuga clan. Tatsuma found it difficult to view him as an individual, since Hyuga Yu represented the Hyuga group.

Earlier, Tatsuma was able to hide this aversion, or rather, he had to hide it. He also tried to reduce his contact with Hyuga as much as possible. Apart from Sento, he basically had no contact with Hyuga.

Fortunately, Sento was also a member of the Hyuga main family who had been corrupted by him, and his dislike for the Hyuga outweighed his agreement with them. This was an important prerequisite for the continuation of their relationship.

But now, Tatsuma no longer needs to hide his dislike for Hinata, because in terms of their own status and the groups they belong to and represent, Tatsuma and Hinata are equals.

It's true that a Hokage shouldn't have personal biases or favoritism, but Tatsuma isn't one of them. He's just responding to Hyuga with equal arrogance. Hyuga Ying will be angry, but he has to put up with it.

He rolled his eyes at Tatsuma, but then reached out and took back the cup of tea he had given Tatsuma, brewed with the most expensive aged tea, and said politely, "Since you don't like it, then let's change to new tea."

However, new tea is considered too "hot" in traditional Chinese medicine, which many people find unpalatable. Therefore, many believe that new tea shouldn't be sold at high prices.

"Surely the Hyuga clan, being so large, can't even afford to serve a pot of slightly better quality tea?"

Chenma wore a mocking smile. He loved people who spoke in roundabout ways, because he himself was good at being sarcastic and sarcastic.

When facing a straightforward person, it's a bit embarrassing to directly confront them with insults. If you express yourself in a more subtle way, you might worry that the other person won't understand. But people like Hinata Ei are perfect for being insulted with seemingly impeccable words.

Because Hinata Yui could understand everything, but couldn't rudely refute it, and could only swallow her anger, her appearance was very pleasant to watch.

Tatsuma admired Hyuga Yui's "serving" of him, and his mocking smile turned into a pleasant one. In fact, Tatsuma wasn't picky about the tea itself; he just wanted to see the dignified Hyuga clan leader serving others.

Unfortunately, Hyuga Ei's self-control was still too profound; even at this stage, he hadn't broken through her defenses and simply brewed a pot of new tea in silence.

This time, Chenma didn't push it away. Instead, he took a sip, put down the teacup, and made his attitude clear: he neither liked nor respected aged tea or old people.

Hyuga Hide was able to tolerate it, which gave the unstarted topic a development that Tatsuma thought was quite good.

Hyuga Hideyuki then put down his tea and said, "I wonder if Tatsuma-kun knows the meaning of 'ichi-go ichi-e' in the tea ceremony?"

"moment."

This is very basic knowledge, even Tatsuma, who isn't an expert in tea, knows it. Of course, he also knows that Hyuga Ei wouldn't ask such a simple question. Hyuga Ei simply nodded and said:

"Yes, sometimes, in a fleeting moment, the ugliness that is revealed is the true nature of man. What is called the normal state is more likely just a cover-up."

Tatsuma narrowed his eyes. Hyuga Ying had finally gotten to the point. He shook his head and said, "I don't think so. Has Hyuga Ying ever kept cats or dogs?"

Cats and dogs go through awkward phases as they grow up, and people are the same. For example, the transition from short hair to long hair can be quite unattractive.

Temporary ugliness might just be an illusion. For example, you, Chief Hyuga, were born wrinkled and sticky, but would you really consider yourself that way? If this is true even for a short period, let alone a fleeting moment.

"Does Tatsuma-kun think that momentary ugliness isn't ugliness?"

"So, Chief Xiangying thought you were an ugly person?"

"Tatsuma-kun, you're being a bit unreasonable."

"Clan Chief Hyuga, aren't you also trying to generalize? Are you perhaps perfect yourself?"

As the two were talking, in the Pure Land, a certain Uchiha named Setsuna was sneezing incessantly.

Hinata Yuki revealed a hint of anger and said, "The so-called tea ceremony is about once in a lifetime, and the moment you agree with it is the moment you realize it. If Tatsuma-kun doesn't agree with it, then you'll never understand this tea even if you drink it your whole life."

"Harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility are also aspects of tea and Zen. Which of these has Chief Hyuga Yuki achieved?"

Tatsuma was equally adamant, and Hinata's eyes were bulging with veins, which were already throbbing slightly. He suppressed his anger and said, "I've heard that Tatsuma-kun grew up among commoners, so it's normal that he doesn't know anything about tea."

It's a pity that even after growing up and returning to Senju, all I learned was their recklessness. But then again, no one in Senju will teach you those things anymore.

Tatsuma's smile faded, his expression darkened, and he said, "Could it be that Hyuga understands tea and Zen? The so-called 'heaven and earth share the same root, all things are one,' relinquishing the ego and merging into heaven and earth, its stillness and inaction, demonstrates the true path of tea. This is something that a true connoisseur of tea and Zen must see."

Hyuga, you can't even see this much, so where does your confidence come from? You claim to understand tea and Zen better than the Senju? I've heard the Byakugan sees everything without blind spots, but it doesn't know that it can also be blind in both sight and mind.

The topic instantly escalated to the two ninja clans. Hyuga Ying, unable to bear it any longer, slammed her hand on the table, knelt up, and glared angrily at Tatsuma with her Byakugan fully exposed.

Tatsuma also pressed down on the table, but because he was sitting cross-legged, he did not kneel or stand up straight. Instead, he unleashed his superhuman strength, and his chakra shone brightly on his body, directly returning all the pressure that Hyuga Ying had given him.

"Thump~"

The chakra pressure exerted by Tatsuma was too terrifying, even Hyuga Ying had not anticipated it. She sat back down with a thud, her face turning pale, but then she was so angry and embarrassed that it turned red instantly.

"Knock knock knock~"

"Father!"

Immediately, there was a knock on the door and urgent inquiries from outside. Hinata Hide angrily waved her hand and shouted, "Get out!"

The person outside seemed hesitant, but dared not disobey Hinata Ei's order. He turned and left. Hinata Ei sat there panting, her fists clenched, clearly still trying to compose herself.

Tatsuma picked up the hot water that had cooled down enough, brewed another pot, and poured tea into both of their cups. After taking a sip, Tatsuma said, "This new tea is indeed very potent."

"snort!"

Hyuga Hide, who was suppressed by Tatsuma in both words and actions, could only grit her teeth and drink the cup of tea that Tatsuma respected. It has to be said that he was indeed very hot-tempered, and it burned as soon as it entered her mouth.

After swallowing the tea like it was made of razor blades, Hyuga Eiji said stiffly, "Since you dislike Hyuga's tea so much, why did you come to Hyuga's tea party?"

"Could it be that inviting me wasn't the intention of Clan Chief Hyuga? Is there anyone in the Hyuga clan who dares to overstep their bounds like this?"

Tatsuma practically said, "You brought this on yourself," but Hyuga Hide straightened her sleeves and said, "I didn't know you'd invited such an unpleasant guest. And I don't understand why you're so hostile towards the Hyuga clan?"

"Is this a sign of open and honest communication?"

Tatsuma looked at Hyuga Yui, but Hyuga Yui turned her face away, unwilling to meet Tatsuma's gaze. Tatsuma shrugged and said, "I don't hate Hyuga, I just dislike her."

Hyuga Ying frowned. He hadn't expected anyone to dare say they hated the Hyuga clan to his face. If it were anyone else, he would have already unleashed a full set of Bagua Sixty-Four Palms.

But when Tatsuma said these words, although he was reluctant to admit it, Hyuga Hide had absolutely no confidence, and couldn't even control herself from being injured by a counterattack.

"I wonder where Tatsuma-kun's dislike comes from."

"That's a question for you to answer, Chief Hyuga. It seems you don't like me very much."

"You kidnapped Hyuga Sento and treated him like a branch family member who doesn't need protection. How can I possibly stand by and watch you do that?"

Hearing Hyuga Ei's self-righteous words, Tatsuma raised an eyebrow and said, "I have never regarded Sento as a branch family member, nor have I ever regarded him as a member of the main family member. After all, I am not Hyuga."

This is Konoha Village. You Hyuga are just living here. Your main family wants to ride roughshod over the branch family, and the branch family is willing to accept it. I, as an outsider, can't say anything. But the Hyuga main family, don't even think about riding roughshod over me.

However, Hyuga Hideyoshi, the head of the Hyuga clan, is also a Konoha ninja. What Konoha ninjas should do, the Hyuga clan's main branch must also participate in.

"If you're not satisfied, then please let Lady Hyuga become Hokage and order everyone in Konoha to respect the Hyuga main clan. If you can't even do that, then you can only continue to be dissatisfied."

These words completely contradicted the Hyuga clan's values. Hyuga Ying retorted, "The main family bears the responsibility of passing on the Byakugan, and the branch family also strives to prevent the Byakugan from flowing out of the clan. What's wrong with that?!"

"Doesn't Hyuga Hide feel ashamed to say such things? If the main family only has special privileges when there is a possibility that the Byakugan might be leaked, I believe no one would question it. But when the village kills a rogue ninja, the truth must be investigated."

The main family of the Hyuga clan has the power of life and death over the branch family. Is this privilege truly just for the so-called protection of the Byakugan?

Hyuga Hide was unwilling to continue the topic because he couldn't refute Tatsuma's words, and the interest group he represented also made it impossible for him to agree with Tatsuma's words.

He shook his head and said firmly, "Tatsuma-kun, your goal should be to become Hokage, right? If you don't get Hyuga's support, or even if Hyuga chooses to oppose you, do you think you can take the Hokage position and hold onto it?"

"This is not a problem for me to consider, and frankly, it is not a problem for Hyuga to consider either."

Tatsuma finished his tea in one gulp, stood up, and said, "What Hyuga should consider is how I will treat her after she chooses to oppose me, instead of fantasizing that she can use her firefly-like light to try and block out the sun."

In this respect, the Sharingan seems to have more foresight than the Byakugan. Having said that, Lord Hyuga, thank you for your hospitality.

(End of this chapter)